The
Toyota Tacoma is a
pickup truck produced and manufactured by the
Toyota Motor Corporation since 1995. The Tacoma was a compact pickup until a model redesign in 2005 when it was reclassified to a mid-size. The second-generation Tacoma was
Motor Trend Magazine's Truck of the Year for 2005. The Toyota Tacoma is named after the City of
Tacoma, Washington, USA.
Second generation (2005–present)
At the 2004
Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled a bigger and more powerful Tacoma. This new Tacoma was available in eighteen different configurations, that included three cab configurations, four transmissions, two engines, and two bed lengths. The three cab configurations consist of regular cab, access cab, and crew cab. The transmissions come in 4 speed automatic, 5 speed automatic, 5 speed manual, and 6 speed manual. Beds are: 6 ft (1.8 m) long bed, and 5 ft (1.5 m) short bed. The Tacoma's 4.0-liter
1GR-FE V6 took the place of the original 3.4-liter
5VZ-FE V6. The new V6 had many enhancements, such as a new 6500 pound tow rating, and a payload capacity of 1650
pounds. It produces 236 horsepower (176 kW) and 266
foot-pounds of
torque. The smaller, but all-new 2.7-liter
2TR-FE 4-cylinder alternative in less expensive models is rated at 159 hp (119 kW) and 180 lb·ft (244 N·m). of torque.
Toyota also introduced an X-Runner trim, which replaces the slow selling S-Runner trim from the previous generation. The X-Runner features the
1GR-FE paired to a six speed
manual transmission, 18 in (457 mm) alloy wheels, lowered two inches from the factory and included an X-Brace suspension package. Toyota also included a Down-Hill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), with models that were equipped with the optional
Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Off-Road package. DAC automatically applies braking during downhill decents while HAC prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards on hills. A rear
locking differential, or
limited-slip differential were also some optional features. Every Tacoma was manufactured with a composite inner bed that includes a deck rail system with four tie down cleats, hook-pins, storage boxes, and a power outlet (models with TRD packages). The tie down cleats are rated to hold up to 220 lb (100 kg).
The 2006 model Tacoma was a bit different from the 2005 model. The 2006 model made some options standard. Toyota also added 2 new interior colors for 2007 model year. 2008 models are carry ons from 2007. For 2009 safety features were added and the Tacoma no longer offers a mechanical limited slip differential rather an open
differential which uses individual wheel braking to simulate a mechanical LSD or "Auto-LSD". TRD off-road models continue to come equipped with a locking rear differential. The second generation Tacomas are assembled in
Tijuana, Mexico and
Fremont, California while the plastic/composite beds are all built in
Mexico. However, in August 2009 Toyota announced that it would relocate Tacoma production from Fremont to
San Antonio, Texas, consolidating it with its
Toyota Tundra production line and thus having all American-made Toyota pickups manufactured at one facility.
A minor facelift came for 2009, including a slightly revised grille on some models, new LED taillamps, and on the X-Runner, TRD Offroad and TRD Sport models includes smoked headlamp trim. Auxiliary audio input now comes standard. The Access/Double Cab trucks have two new ceiling mounted speakers and available backup monitor. Four new exterior colors are also added to the Tacoma.
After the Bankruptcy of GM, GM abandoned the NUMMI venture. Following the decision of GM, Toyota terminated all Corolla and Tacoma production. In 2010 all Tacoma production will be moved to Toyota's Texas plant in San Antonio. The Tacoma will be built alongside the Tundra, its bigger brother. By doing this, Toyota has moved all of its NA truck production to one plant. This will bring a total 1,000 new jobs to San Antonio.
In 2012, like many of its competitors, the Tacoma is expected to be redesigned and re-engineered, two years after the release of the new
4Runner.
Safety and structural integrity
The Tacoma comes standard with
anti-lock brakes,
brake assist, and
electronic brakeforce distribution. In 2008, a rollover sensor was added which would deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of rollover in Tacomas equipped with the optional side airbags. Beginning with the 2009 model year, all Tacomas feature Toyota's Star Safety System which added
Vehicle Stability Control and
traction control. Front row
side torso airbags and
side curtain airbags for both rows also become standard as well as active head restraints.
[4][5]Given the smaller size of pickup trucks in the Tacoma's category, crash testing for these sized trucks lags with how well most full size trucks perform. However, in an
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test of the Tacoma and other small trucks, only the side airbag equipped Tacoma received the highest overall rating of "Good" in the side impact test.
[6][7] The Tacoma also is rated "Good" in the frontal offset crash test.
[8] In 2009 with the active head restraints the Tacoma is given the IIHS's
Top Safety Pick award.
NHTSA crash test ratings (2006):[9] | Frontal Driver: |  |
| Frontal Passenger: | |
| Side Driver: | |
| Side Rear Passenger: | |
| Rollover: |  |
American special forces use
During
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and
Operation Enduring Freedom, multiple Toyota Tacomas have been observed in use by special forces units of the
U.S. Army. Typically, they have been Double Cab models, with SR5 and TRD packages.
Despite the fact that the Hilux, which the Tacoma is based on, is extremely common in the Middle East, the special forces found it to be easier to purchase them from American dealerships, modify them appropriately, and ship them to their areas. The Tacoma and Hilux share a similar body, but the chassis is significantly different in the Tacoma and believed to be much weaker
[citation needed]. The gasoline engine used is significantly quieter than the diesel engines used in the
HMMWV. These were modified by eliminating the factory radio, along with almost all exterior lights and door buzzers. The front headlights have been modified to work in IR, in order to work with night vision. The engines are unmodified, but the vehicles have been fitted with brush guards, Warn winches, and a rollbar with a machine gun mount.
[11] Sales
| Calendar Year | US Sales |
| 2000[12] | 147,295 |
| 2001 | 161,983 |
| 2002[13] | 151,960 |
| 2003 | 154,154 |
| 2004[14] | 152,933 |
| 2005 | 168,831 |
| 2006[15] | 178,351 |
| 2007 | 173,238 |
| 2008[16] | 144,655 |
